History of Casa Batlló
Development of Paseo de Gracia
Paseo de Gracia has grown to be the backbone of Barcelona (known as the Cerdà Plan) since 1860, when an ambitious urban plan was approved. Here, Paseo de Gracia has attracted most significant families to settle. In this sense, the street evolved from a major car routein the 20th century to a promenade for walkers and horses in the 19th Century. Originally constructed in 1877 by Emilio Sala Cortés, one of Gaudí’s architectural professors, the structure was completed while Barcelona lacked electric lighting. Purchased in 1903 by Mr. Josep Batlló y Casanovas, a well-known businessman with multiple enterprises in Barcelona, it was a textile industry.
Construction of Casa Batlló
Antoni Gaudí was given a complete creative license by Mr. Josep Batlló, who also assigned him responsibility for a project involving the first demolition of the construction. But because of Gaudí’s bravery, the home was completely rebuilt between 1904 and 1906 and its demolition was decided upon. Redistributing the internal partitioning, enlarging the lightwell, and transforming the inside into a genuine piece of art, the architect totally transformed the façade. Apart from its artistic worth, the structure is quite practical and far more modern than historical in character. Some even find aspects reflecting late 20th-century architectural styles.
The Bone of Contention
Apart from Casa Batlló, eminent architects were also changing other buildings that were vying for the urban prizes called by the Barcelona City Council at the same time. This particular era was hence referred to as The Bone of Contention. Along with Casa Batlló, these modernist homes are now part of a distinct group shaped by:
- Casa Amatller (by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch).
- Casa Lleó Morera (by Lluís Domènech i Montaner).
- Casa Mulleras (Enric Sagnier).
- Casa Josefina Bonet (Marcel-li Coquillat).
Recent history
Casa Batlló was sold outside the Batlló family in the 1950s. Since the 1990s, the Bernat family—who have completely restored the house—have been the owners of the building after several businesses and people took it. The family opened the house to the public in 1995 and showed this architectural jewel to the world, therefore providing the venue for events. Since 2002, in line with the International Year of Gaudí, Casa Batlló has also hosted cultural visits. Both events are open right now and are always evolving in terms of content and offer. For those who wish to witness Gaudí’s work and modernity at its best, Casa Batlló is currently a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see in Barcelona. With one million visitors annually, it is also among the most highly ranked cultural and tourism sites.
An interior full of art
Casa Batlló’s inside is a wonder of design. Working with wrought iron, wood, stained glass, ceramic tiles and stone embellishments, among others, Gaudí teamed with the very greatest artists of the day. Its features never cease to astound me when I explore the residence. Modernist elements abound on the doors leading to the several flats. Every landing’s windows distort the lightwell’s tiles, turning them into exquisite ripples of water. The baners and doorknobs have ergonomic forms. It is a real piece of art in which the artist has engaged in every element: design, color, shape, space and light. Though the most shocking thing is that it is always based on utility, this exuberance will never stop astonishing you. From the entrance hall to the roof terrace, beauty and utility unite in every nook and cranny of the construction.
The Entrance Hall
Through an outstanding modernist grid, the ground floor shared entrance hall connects to the private entrance hall of the Batlló family. The first stop on the tour is here. With skylights shaped like turtle shells, vaulted walls with curving forms and a magnificent wooden staircase, this area transports guests to the wonderful world of Jules Verne—an aquatic habitat. Made from hardwood, the carved banister rises over unfathomable distances to symbolize the backbone of a large animal.
Lightwell
Since the house’s main skylight distributes the air and light that enter, the lightwell is absolutely essential. Gaudí stretched the patio—there was one and he added a second—to guarantee that every room in the home would be illuminated by natural light. To guarantee the consistent distribution of the light, he also embellished it with tiles of various blue tones (with more strong colour in the higher section and lighter tiles at the bottom).
Using this similar reasoning, the top windows get smaller and enlarge as they descend, therefore letting more light in. Wooden slots in the bottom windows let one open or close them for ventilation management. Gaudí put the elevator right in the middle of the lightwell. Still in operation today is its lovely original wooden lift car.
Indoor garden
Located in the midst of the Noble Floor, the private dining room of the Batlló family opens to an exclusive rear garden, a little paradise in the middle of the city, meant for afternoon relaxation. The most remarkable features of this area are its tile and glass-coated flower pots as key decorative accents, as well as its pavement.
Roof terrace
What is often known as the dragon’s back dominates the roof terrace; it defines the façade and has been portrayed by Gaudí using variously coloured tiles. But the four polychrome and crooked chimney stacks, meant to stop backdraughts, define the main focus of the roof terrace. Once more, the most magnificent and emblematic Catalan modern house brings together use and beauty.
The Enigmatic Origins of Casa Batlló
“Travel a fascinating path around one of Barcelona’s most enchanted sites, Casa Batlló. Discover the rich legacy of this architectural wonder and find yourself enthralled by the minute elements of Antoni Gaudí’s imaginative work. From its fantastical exterior to the magnificent inside, Casa Batlló guarantees an amazing encounter that will inspire and delight. Don’t miss your opportunity to tour this masterwork of modernist architecture. Make today your visit and let Casa Batlló enchant you!
